At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead finance function, oversee financial performance, and provide commercial insights.
- Company: Dynamic e-commerce business with a focus on growth and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, professional development, and a chance to make an impact.
- Other info: Opportunity to lead a team and develop your career in finance.
- Why this job: Drive strategic decisions and improve profitability in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with e-commerce experience and strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
4 month Interim position – must be a proven professional interim and immediately available.
Overview
We are seeking a commercially focused Financial Controller to lead the finance function and take ownership of the financial performance, reporting, forecasting, and control environment across a growing e‑commerce business. Managing a Finance Manager, the successful candidate will combine financial stewardship with commercial insight, supporting strategic decision‑making and driving profitable growth. While the Finance Manager will have primary responsibility for the preparation of management accounts and routine financial reporting, the Commercial Financial Controller will retain overall ownership of the numbers, ensuring accuracy, integrity, and meaningful financial insight for the leadership team. A key focus of the role will be understanding, analysing, and explaining business performance. The successful candidate will be expected to go beyond reporting results, identifying the underlying drivers of performance and providing actionable recommendations to improve profitability, cash generation, and operational effectiveness. The role also includes responsibility for the financial oversight of a small German subsidiary which is used to support the import of stock to our German Warehouse. You will act as the primary finance contact with external German accountants and tax advisors.
Key Responsibilities
- Financial leadership, reporting and control
- Financial analysis and commercial insight
- Business partnering with senior leadership
- Budgeting, forecasting and cash flow management
- German entity management
- Team leadership and development of the Finance Manager
Candidate Profile
Essential Experience
- Qualified or part qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
- Experience in a Financial Controller, Finance Manager, Commercial Finance Manager, or similar role
- Proven experience within an e‑commerce business
- Strong understanding of e‑commerce financial and operational drivers, including sales channel performance, gross margin by country/channel, logistics cost, marketing ROI, customer acquisition costs, inventory management, and cash flow
- Experience providing commercial analysis and actionable business insight to senior stakeholders
- Strong financial control, management reporting, budgeting, and forecasting experience
- Experience managing and developing finance team members
- Advanced Excel and financial modelling skills
- Experience working with ERP and reporting systems
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will be more than a traditional Financial Controller. They will have a genuine interest in understanding business performance and using financial data to drive better decisions. They will enjoy analysing trends, identifying opportunities for improvement, and working closely with operational leaders to improve profitability and cash generation. They will combine strong financial control with commercial acumen and be comfortable acting as both the guardian of the numbers and a trusted business partner to the leadership team.
Interim Commercial Financial Controller in Crewe employer: Greenwell Gleeson
Join a dynamic e-commerce business as an Interim Commercial Financial Controller, where you will play a pivotal role in driving financial performance and strategic decision-making. Our company fosters a collaborative work culture that values innovation and professional growth, offering opportunities to lead a talented finance team while engaging with senior leadership. With a focus on meaningful insights and actionable recommendations, this role not only enhances your financial expertise but also allows you to make a significant impact in a thriving environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Interim Commercial Financial Controller in Crewe
✨Join Financial Networking Events
Jump into local finance meetups and conferences — they’re a goldmine for temporary roles in banking and financial services. You can chat with industry professionals and even get leads on upcoming opportunities that might not be posted online yet.
✨Utilise Temp Agencies Specialised in Finance
Reach out to temp agencies that focus on the banking sector. They often have strong ties with various firms and can help you secure short-term gigs that can help beef up your CV and get your foot in the door at firms like Greenwell Gleeson.
✨Connect with Alumni from Your Uni
Don't underestimate the power of your university’s alumni network. Many former students are working in banking and can help you find temporary roles or even offer mentorship. Reach out directly or attend alumni events to broaden your circle.
✨Stay Active on Job Boards and Company Websites
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards specifically for finance roles. Companies like Greenwell Gleeson might post temporary positions directly on their sites, so make sure to apply there too. Set alerts to catch those roles the moment they go live!
We think you need these skills to ace Interim Commercial Financial Controller in Crewe
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Academic Achievements:In banking and financial services, your academic record can really make you stand out. List relevant grades, certifications, or coursework on your CV, especially if you've taken finance-related modules. This is particularly important for a temporary role where qualifications can help you shine even brighter!
Highlight Relevant Experience:If you’ve done any internships, part-time roles, or even coursework that aligns with banking or finance, make sure you include those! Showcase specific tasks where you used quantitative skills or analytical thinking, as this is what the hiring managers at Greenwell Gleeson will be keen to see in your application.
Tailor Your Cover Letter Purposefully:When writing your cover letter, focus on why you’re interested in a temporary position at Greenwell Gleeson. Let them know how you can quickly adapt to the team's needs and how eager you are to learn the ropes of the banking sector during this short stint. Your motivation and enthusiasm could really set you apart!
Be Prepared with References:For temporary roles, references can play a crucial role in your application. Make sure you’ve got a couple of references lined up who can vouch for your skills and work ethic. This helps to give Greenwell Gleeson confidence in your short-term commitment to the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Greenwell Gleeson
✨Brush Up on Financial Regulations
Since this is a role in banking and financial services, be ready to discuss key regulations like MiFID, Basel III, or GDPR. These are hot topics, and your awareness of how they impact daily operations can give you a significant edge during your interview with Greenwell Gleeson.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare for interview questions that assess your analytical abilities. You might need to tackle hypothetical scenarios involving risk assessment or financial forecasting. Bringing examples of relevant projects or coursework can emphasise your practical understanding of these concepts.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
For a temporary role, showing that you can quickly pick up new processes and tools is crucial. Be ready to discuss previous experiences where you had to adapt to changing requirements or tight deadlines, as this will reassure Greenwell Gleeson that you’re a reliable team player.
✨Demonstrate a Willingness to Learn
In a temporary position, leaning into your eagerness to learn can really set you apart. Be prepared to share how you’re staying updated on industry trends or any additional training you've pursued. Employers appreciate candidates who are proactive about their development—even for short-term roles.
